Welcome! It's #IMWAYR time again, when bloggers share what they have been reading and find out what others have been up to. Kathryn hosts the adult version of this meme at Book Date. Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers host the kidlit rendition. I'm also connecting up with the Sunday Salon. These are fabulous places to start your search for what to read next!
I've probably read more than is on my list here today, but if I did, I forgot to make note of it. I know I started and abandoned at least one book. I also picked up a collection of books on marionettes that I have been working my way through.
We had a lovely visit with friends and family in Vancouver last week. Unfortunately, I wasn't really well. My doctor diagnosed me with a sinus infection and walking pneumonia when I got home. I suspected the former, but thought the coughing was related to my asthma not being under control - a normal event for me after a respiratory tract infection. I'm on antibiotics so I hope it's over soon.
I suspect that Covid 19 has screwed up my immune system again. It's what happened last time I got it.
Titles with a đ indicate this is a Canadian or Indigenous Canadian Author and or Illustrator.
We had a lovely visit with friends and family in Vancouver last week. Unfortunately, I wasn't really well. My doctor diagnosed me with a sinus infection and walking pneumonia when I got home. I suspected the former, but thought the coughing was related to my asthma not being under control - a normal event for me after a respiratory tract infection. I'm on antibiotics so I hope it's over soon.
I suspect that Covid 19 has screwed up my immune system again. It's what happened last time I got it.
Titles with a đ indicate this is a Canadian or Indigenous Canadian Author and or Illustrator.
Clicking on the title will take you to the Goodreads page of the book.
FIRST FRIDAY POETRY DECEMBER 2024
Jack and Santa by Mac Barnett & Greg Pizzoli (Illustrator) October 13, 2020
This was delightfully ridiculous! Jack is on Santa's bad list. He does what he has to to get on Santa's good list. He's not successful, and it's no wonder. This book turned out to be one hilarious surprise after another.
This is my first Jack book, but it won't be the last. I have put a hold on some for my grandkids to read when they visit over the holiday. I expect them to love them as much as I do.
RECENT BLOG POST
READERS
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| 4 stars |
Jack and Santa by Mac Barnett & Greg Pizzoli (Illustrator) October 13, 2020
This was delightfully ridiculous! Jack is on Santa's bad list. He does what he has to to get on Santa's good list. He's not successful, and it's no wonder. This book turned out to be one hilarious surprise after another.
This is my first Jack book, but it won't be the last. I have put a hold on some for my grandkids to read when they visit over the holiday. I expect them to love them as much as I do.
NON FICTION PICTURE BOOKS
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| 5 stars |
The Girl Who Loved Giraffes: And Became the World's First Giraffologist by Kathy Stinson & François Thisdale (Illustrator) September 1, 2021 đ
She was an amazing woman! In1956, at the age of 23 she headed off, on her own, to South Africa to study giraffes. Not only was she a pioneer in the study of animals in their natural habitat, she was the first person to study giraffes, and the first western woman to study animals in the wild.
Just getting to South Africa was fraught with difficulty - mostly because she was a woman. She used the first initial in her name, knowing people would assume she was a man, just to find a place to stay.
After she finished her PHD, she tried to get a job teaching at a university, but because of her gender, no one would hire her. Even when she did get a teaching job, tenure was denied because of it.
After she finished her PHD, she tried to get a job teaching at a university, but because of her gender, no one would hire her. Even when she did get a teaching job, tenure was denied because of it.
This title focuses on her work with giraffes, but she also studied many different animals in Canada. She was a pioneer in the study of homosexuality in animals. Eventually she became an activist working towards equality for women in academia.
What I really like about this book is that not only do we learn a lot about giraffes, we also learn what life was like for a woman scientist in Anne Innis Dagg's lifetime. Born 25 January 1933, she was a few months older than my mother. I find it fascinating to look at the different lives women of their generation lived.
François Thisdale's dramatic illustrations are worth admiring even without the text. I encourage you to watch the 2018 documentary on Dr Anne Innis Dagg's life, The Woman Who Loves Giraffes. It is available to watch on Kanopy, but you can watch the trailer for it here.
I previewed a digital copy of this for my four year old granddaughters because they are both interested in dinosaurs and monsters. I liked it, but think there is too much text on the page for them. It's still a wonderful book. The artwork is gorgeous!
Each animal is presented in a double page spread. Each spread contains four different areas of information. The Mega Fact File gives basic information. Another with a coloured background provides more detail. I really like the inserts that compare the size of the creature to a human.
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| How would you like to run into a Terror Bird? |
MG/YA FICTION
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| 4 stars |
The Hotel Balzaar by Kate DiCamillo, JĂșlia SardĂ (Illustrator) & Allan Corduner (Narrator) October 1, 2024
Marta and her mother live in an attic room at the Hotel Balzaar, a run down establishment that has seen better days. Her mother works as a maid, while Marta tries to remain unobtrusive. Then the Countess, a flamboyant old woman with a parrot, arrives. She notices Marta and invites her to her room to tell her some fantastical stories. In their time together, she passes on important wisdom to the young girl. “It takes no courage at all to doubt, Marta. And we are not beyond rescue. We are never beyond rescue . . .”
The thing I love most about reading a Kate DiCamillo novel is how much deep philosophical thought is embedded in each one. This one is no exception. In it she examines the power of story telling, especially how we can see ourselves, our families, and our history in them.
The audiobook is delightfully narrated, but I think I missed a lot not seeing the illustrations.
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| 5 stars |
The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate May 2, 2023
I adored The One and Only Ivan, and enjoyed Bob's story so when I found this in a pile of library books at my son's house. I sat down one evening and read it. Ruby's story has all the pathos, charm and power of The One and Only Ivan. It was impossible to not love Ruby and ache for her as her story is revealed.
The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny & Jean Brassard (Narrator) October 29, 2024 đ
Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, Jean-Guy Beauvoir, & Inspector Isabelle Lacoste uncover a plot to poison the water system of Montreal. They have no idea who they can trust. It looks like the culprits behind the plan might include more than just high ranking officers in the The Sûreté du Québec. It seems that members in the highest levels of government are behind it all.
ADULT/YA FICTION
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| 4 stars |
The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny & Jean Brassard (Narrator) October 29, 2024 đ
I enjoyed this, but had a hard time following the audiobook. This might be because I was getting used to a new narrator, or it might just be that I wasn't really feeling well.
Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu February 1, 2022 đ
ADULT/YA NON FICTION
Reading about history that you have lived through is a fascinating endeavour. I remember reading and/or listening to reports on the radio (back when CBC was properly funded) on much of what Ash writes about here, but those events were something happening far away. In this book, Ash takes us inside these stories and into the lives of people who lived them. They become personal.
CURRENTLY
Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu February 1, 2022 đ
The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose & Lauren Ambrose (Narrator) November 28, 2023 đ
Lavender Clouds by Bex Ollerton July 4, 2024
Goodreads Reading Challenge: 205/200
Just saw that you posted from your comment! Will get back to you later, Cheriee!
ReplyDeleteI loved the latest Kate DiCamillo. Of course. I always love everything she writes.
ReplyDeleteAnd I need to read Jack and Santa, I think.
You really need to read Jack and Santa! I too love everything Kate writes!
DeleteHa, thanks for the Jack book. There are lots! Every time a Louise Penny is donated to the store, it leaves before it's shelved. This one sounds very good, too. I will look for The Girl Who Loved Giraffes! Glad you liked Hotel Bazaar - what whimsey! And, sorry you've been sick, Cheriee, & best wishes for feeling better fast!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading more Jack books! I hope you can find a copy of The Girl Who Loved Giraffes. I loved learning about Dr. Anne Innis Dagg.
DeleteHope your infection clears up soon. I am only at #14 in the Gamache series. I read rather than listen but possibly in the future I may listen to them. I liked The One and Only Ivan when I read it some years ago.
ReplyDeleteI am happy that you are into this Gamache series! I love all the characters. I listen to audiobooks when I am doing other things like cleaning the house, working in the garden, knitting and sewing.
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